Federal prosecutors are currently looking into allegations that veteran NBA guard Terry Rozier may have manipulated his performance as part of an illegal gambling operation.
This investigation is part of a larger probe into potential match-fixing in professional sports, which has already led to legal consequences for other individuals involved.
Notably, former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter pleaded guilty and received a lifetime NBA ban for his involvement in similar activities.
Although Rozier, who is 30 years old, has not been charged with any wrongdoing, the investigation into his possible involvement remains ongoing.
There is still no clarity on whether investigators believe he aided gamblers in any way.
The Alleged Incident
The incident in question reportedly occurred on March 23, 2023, during a game between Rozier’s Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans.
At the time, Rozier was a member of the Hornets, but he currently plays for the Miami Heat.
The Heat have declined to comment on the matter, instead directing inquiries to the NBA.
According to NBA spokesperson Mike Bass, the league became aware of unusual betting activity surrounding Rozier’s performance in that game and launched its own investigation.
The NBA ultimately found no violations of its rules but acknowledged that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is conducting a separate investigation into the matter, with which the NBA is cooperating.
Previous Case: Jontay Porter’s Guilty Plea
Earlier this month, federal investigators revealed that Jontay Porter, a former NBA player, was involved in a similar scheme.
Porter allegedly communicated with co-conspirators during games to manipulate betting outcomes, which led to his lifetime suspension from the league.
In a July court appearance, Porter pleaded guilty to charges that he had agreed to alter his game performance in exchange for money to help gamblers win bets.
Porter admitted to intentionally withdrawing early from games to influence betting odds and acknowledged that he did so to escape mounting gambling debts.
Although he was scheduled to be sentenced in December, his sentencing has been postponed to 2025.
Porter had also requested permission to travel abroad to play basketball in Greece, but this request was denied by a federal judge in July.
Text Messages Reveal Gambling Scheme Details
Federal investigators have uncovered text message exchanges that show Porter’s direct involvement in the gambling plot.
These messages, which were sent to his alleged accomplices, provide insight into the manipulation of game outcomes.
In one exchange, Porter shared that he had returned to the locker room to have his eyes checked and was uncertain about playing much more in the game.
He also suggested that if the game became a blowout, he would take the opportunity to shoot as many shots as possible.
In another exchange, Porter claimed he would exit the game with an injury, a strategy that was reportedly shared with his co-conspirators.
Investigators have also revealed that Shane Hennen, one of Porter’s alleged accomplices, placed several bets based on insider information, including a bet that Porter would fail to reach a certain number of rebounds.
As the investigation into Rozier continues, the connection between match-fixing and illegal gambling in professional sports is becoming a growing concern.
This investigation, along with the ongoing case against Porter, highlights the lengths to which some individuals may go to influence the outcomes of games for financial gain.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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